RADIO COMMISSIONING FRAMEWORK Commissioning Brief Commissioning Brief 20169: Production of BBC Radio 2’s Pause for Thought strand (beginning Early 2020). CONTENTS SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY........................................................................... 3 SECTION B: THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS ................................................................. 7 1. TIMETABLE .......................................................................................................... 7 2. THE FIVE STAGES ................................................................................................. 8 3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ....................................................................................... 9 SECTION C: FULL PROPOSALS ...................................................................................... 10 1. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU ............................................................................. 10 2. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US ............................................................................. 11 3. IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE .......................................................................... 13 2 of 13 SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY Commissioning Brief 20169: Radio 2’s Pause For Thought Commission contacts Robert Gallacher [email protected] Duration One year with two separate options for the BBC to renew for a further year on the same terms after both the first and second years (1+1+1) Number of programmes available 15 originations per week (ten live, 5 pre-recorded) Transmission period February 2020-February 2021 Guide Price per episode £200 when using your own studios/£180 when recording in BBC studios – per ep. Commissioning Year 2019/20 Commissioning Slot Various Commissioning Round 2019/2020 round 6 All proposals must be submitted via Proteus. There is no short proposal stage; submissions are going straight to full proposal. Important Notes: • Full Proposals must be submitted via Proteus before the deadline at noon on Thursday 12th December 2019 • Suppliers will be asked to submit a Full Proposal assessed. This should be no longer than 5 sides of A4. It should be entered into the ‘full synopsis’ section of the Proteus submission form. • The BBC reserves the right at any time prior to the award of a commission, and without incurring any liability to the affected suppliers, to accept or to reject any proposal, or to annul the commissioning process rejecting all Full Proposals. More information relating to all commissioning briefs and rounds, regardless of Networks can be found on the Pitching Ideas page of the Radio Commissioning Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4fC4NcVXqkZntJv8ZHpClD8/pitchi ng-ideas We strongly advise you to submit your Proposals in good time to avoid the possibility of difficulties caused by unforeseen network or transmission problems. No late submissions will be accepted 3 of 13 BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a distinctive, mixed music and speech network, broadcasting to a broad audience which aims to appeal to all age groups over 35. The network offers entertaining, popular and specialist music programmes alongside speech-based content - including news, current affairs, documentaries, religion, arts and social action. The station boasts an award winning team of top name presenters including Zoe Ball, Steve Wright, Sara Cox, Trevor Nelson, Graham Norton, Jeremy Vine, Ken Bruce, Paul O’Grady, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Craig Charles, Claudia Winkleman and Tony Blackburn. Network Strategy The network is aiming to grow reach and listening hours amongst the 35-54s, whilst retaining its already very broad audience appeal. Radio 2 will deliver great content to listen to, look at, and share, across all platforms, to drive digital take-up across social platforms and BBC Sounds, and will present the broadest mix of popular and specialist music hosted and curated by the nation’s best loved musical experts. We will place distinctive programming at the heart of the schedule, reflecting the diversity of the UK, whilst maintaining our reputation as the home of the biggest entertainment stars. Editorial Opportunity: PAUSE FOR THOUGHT Religion and faith are key to the network’s remit, where informed, articulate and engaging presenters provide intelligent presentation representing beliefs and comment from across the broad spectrum of faith across the UK. Radio 2 is looking to commission a supplier with a proven national radio track record for creating innovative programming around a spoken word religious format, with proven knowledge of scripting for religious/faith output. The programmes should serve the broad BBC Radio 2 35+ audience, representing views from across the religious/faith spectrum. The 3 minute programmes should explore contemporary themes and reflect on issues relevant to the audience, explore the importance of faith in people's lives, and celebrate the broad spectrum of beliefs in the UK today. The tone should be warm, friendly, uplifting, companionable and relatable. It should aim to cover spirituality and multi- faiths with a fresh, modern, accessible approach, while also keeping the Network Strategy in mind. We’d be interested in hearing how particularly the pre-recorded editions can be integral parts of the shows they are broadcast within. Music Policy: We would require the supplier to also suggest & supply appropriate music tracks to be used following each of the PFT transmissions. 4 of 13 Programme Content: The programmes will be a mixture of ten live studio based presentations, and five pre-recorded originations. Radio 2 has existing studio space and resources within BBC Wogan House, London, although producers are not required to use these resources. Independent companies wishing to make use of non-BBC studios are welcomed. The presenters will be contracted by the supplier. The Pause For Thought programming is currently broadcast in O.J Borg (pre- rec x5), The Pick Of Radio 2 (pre-rec x1), Angela Scanlon (pre-rec x1), Vanessa Feltz (live x 5) and Zoe Ball (live x 5). Additional Deliverables We require assets for inclusion in BBC Sounds: • Accurate and compelling programme titles and descriptions ahead of TX, when programme content is confirmed; and updated post-TX where appropriate. • Track-listings updated online as soon as practicable. • Bespoke episodic images taken and delivered to BBC Sounds team where appropriate, eg: featuring the presenters and their guests, or to reflect a theme of the show. Members of production should undertake editorial data and photography training where required by the BBC. Where appropriate, we would also want the production team to creatively deliver the Network’s wider weekly and monthly editorial messages; and to attend relevant Editorial meetings (either in person in London, or via video conferencing). Additional information / delivery requirements: • The ‘Guide Price’ does include presenter fees. The presenters will be contracted and paid by the Supplier. • The contract will be offered as a “fixed price” deal and the BBC will assume that any elements included in proposals can be successfully delivered within the guide price given. • Production teams will be expected to adhere to all relevant editorial and copyright guidelines in place; and deliver all necessary production related paperwork in a timely fashion – e.g. Compliance Forms, Music Reporting. 5 of 13 COMPLIANCE AND BBC EDITORIAL GUIDELINES You will be required to deliver programmes that are in line with the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and be able to adapt to the BBC’s changing editorial and business needs during the period of the commission. THE EVALUATION TEAM The following people may be involved in evaluating your proposal at various stages: Lewis Carnie, Head of BBC Radio 2 Jeff Smith, Head of Music, BBC Radio 2 Helen Thomas, Head Of Content Commissioning, BBC Radio 2 Robert Gallacher, Commissioning Editor, Radio Pop Networks Julian Grundy, Commissioning & Scheduling Manager, BBC Radio 2 Joe Harland, Head of Visual Radio, Digital and Social, Pop Networks Mark Waring, Senior Commercial Rights and Business Affairs Manager Raluca Albu, Senior Procurement Manager Subject matter experts (e.g. production experts, visual content specialists, network management or finance advisors etc.) may also be consulted. See Section B for information on the commissioning process, timetable and assessment criteria. See Section B for information on the commissioning process, timetable and assessment criteria. 6 of 13 SECTION B: THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS 1. TIMETABLE The commissioning process consists of four stages, as set out in the timetable below: Stage Timings (all Activities midday) th Launch 12 November Delivery of commissioning brief 2019 documentation and round opens in Proteus. By Monday 9th 1. Eligibility, Opportunity to discuss programme brief with December 2019 Full Proposal Commissioning Team/Talent (ad directed) and initial prior to submitting Full Proposal. shortlisting th Thursday 12 Deadline for Full Proposal to be submitted via December 2019 Proteus. Suppliers invited for interview/pitch. w/c 16th 2. Interview/ Face-to-face pitches with suppliers. December 2019 Pitch Monday 23rd 3. Conditional Commission award decision made, December 2019 Commission commissioning specification completed and offered contract issued. Agreement of all programme related deliverables and technical specifications (for further information on 1Xtra requirements, please see the BBC’s commissioning website). Full contract signed. w/c 6th January